Shloka 57
विभीषणागमनम्
Vibhīṣaṇa’s Arrival and the Debate on Refuge
सएषदेश: कालश्चभवतीतियथातथा ।पुरुषात्पुरुषंप्राप्यतथादोषगुणावपि ।।6.17.57।।
sa eṣa deśaḥ kālaś ca bhavatīti yathā tathā | puruṣāt puruṣaṃ prāpya tathā doṣa-guṇāv api || 6.17.57 ||
“Inilah tempat dan inilah waktu yang patut, sebagaimana seharusnya. Dan seorang datang dari satu insan kepada insan yang lebih mulia pun demikian patut—terutama ketika di satu pihak tampak cela, dan di pihak lain tampak kebajikan.”
"He has thought over and seen wickedness in Ravana, likewise valiance in you has made you come here. He seems to be right and suitable."
FAQs
Dharma recognizes appropriateness (deśa-kāla) and moral hierarchy: it can be right to leave an unrighteous side and approach the righteous protector.
Mainda argues that Vibhīṣaṇa’s act of approaching Rāma is contextually appropriate—given the circumstances of war and moral comparison.
Moral discernment: evaluating actions by context (time/place) and by the relative presence of virtues and faults.